Dogs and Home Security: 5 Ways Pooches Boost Home Safety

How often do we see dogs and home security crossover scenarios play out in pop culture? Think about the classic watch dog moment in countless movies and TV shows, where we’ve seen man’s best friend cast in a heroic, starring role. The burglar breaks into the home with something nefarious in mind, but before he knows it, the tables are turned as the family’s faithful pooch backs him into a corner or chases him out.

While they’re no replacement for an actual home security system, there are plenty of ways dogs can add an extra boost to your home protection.

1. DOGS ARE GREAT PERIMETER DEFENDERS

One of the best things about dogs are their heightened senses. They will first smell, then hear people coming long before you ever notice them. A K9’s sense of smell is 10,000 times stronger than that of a human’s, and will often notify their owners if something out of the ordinary is nearby.

The difference is distinguishing your dog’s “normal” behavior, like barking at the mailman, versus warning you of a possible disturbance on your street or property. But in essence, a good watchdog is another set of eyes that can keep a close watch over your “den.”

2. DOGS WARN OTHERS OF DANGER

Another home security advantage to a barking dog is that it not only alerts you to possible dangers and disturbances, but your neighbors and any passersby as well. Just like a loud, ear-piercing alarm sounding off, a non-stop roaring dog is going to draw attention.

If you have neighbors that know your animal, they may know the difference in sounds of barks, too. Not to mention, the hour could make it glaringly apparent to others that something is out of the ordinary. A loud bark disturbing the middle of the night, for instance. A concerned neighbor might be drawn to investigate, and call authorities in some cases when necessary.

3. DOGS CAN SCARE AWAY INTRUDERS

There are plenty of reasons not to confront an intruder in the event of an actual home invasion, but in some cases, the situation might be unavoidable. If you have a particularly large breed of dog, that can be a major intimidation factor to home intruders. Especially if for some reason your dog doesn’t bark at first, or those initial noises don’t scare off a burglar, the physical presence of your dog (and the reality of being in the same space) might make all the difference in a dangerous situation.

4. DOGS ARE LOYAL TO OWNERS

As we said earlier, dogs are protective of their den (your home!). And that means everyone in it, too. Your dog’s loyalty to you and your family adds an entirely new dimension as a home security asset. You know your dog better than anyone, which means you understand their behavior and can sense when something is truly amiss in the way they’re behaving toward outside disturbances.

And in the event of a home invasion, your dog may even attack an intruder to protect itself and its family, giving you time to escape and contact the proper authorities. But unless your pooch is military trained, an attack would likely be instinctual. And this may put your pet in serious physical danger,  and should be avoided at all costs. But in the cases it isn’t, it’s nice knowing your watchdog has your back, right?

5. COMPANIONSHIP AND PEACE OF MIND

The point is, most dog owners feel a strong sense of companionship to their animal. And in many cases, that loyalty is reciprocated. Beyond the natural advantages a dog can provide to home security, their comforting presence alone can make a world of difference to your day-to-day peace of mind. In general, it’s a comforting feeling to have an active, physical presence in your home to beef up security. And that’s just the icing to the canine cake – dogs are “man’s best friend” for a reason!

HOWEVER, DOGS HAVE THEIR LIMITS

It’s important to note that not every dog breed is suited for home security. The American Kennel Club suggests that some of the best guard dog breeds include Akitas, Boxers, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, various Shepherd dogs (German, Australian, etc.), and more. These are mostly larger breeds, but there are smaller and medium sized dogs that fit the mold based on their natural behavioral instincts.

However, proper training is also another major factor. You don’t want a dog that barks at every noise; you want one that tells you when something is wrong. It’s also important that you’re able to call your dog off and tell him to ‘sit’ and ‘stay.’ Dogs aren’t born knowing these skills. You’ll need to participate in their training and reinforce what they’ve learned throughout their lives. But even an untrained barking dog may still deter burglars.

FOR MORE SECURITY TIPS AND SOLUTIONS, STICK WITH BOYD & ASSOCIATES SECURITY

Dogs are not a replacement for  24/7 home security and alarm monitoring services. Instead, think of them as a furry extra layer to supplement your home safety! And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.